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chronicacademia's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, and Emotional abuse
sariereads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Ableism and Sexual content
rickireadss's review against another edition
3.5
⚠️: bullying, toxic relationship (FMC & parents), addiction, emotional abuse, ableism, fire/fire injury
Graphic: Bullying and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, Emotional abuse, and Fire/Fire injury
amberinpieces's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Cursing and Sexual content
Minor: Ableism and Alcohol
readlexread's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Thoughts:
- Glad I finally read this. It took me a little to get into it but that could be a function of my being quite sleepy and overwhelmed when I started it but once it took off, I really enjoyed it!
- Loved Jada’s best friend
- Donavan’s teammates/friends were great. Love that brotherhood.
- I appreciated how the author handled Jada’s dyslexia
- Her parents were kinda (actually a whole lot) awful
- Her grams is the best!
- And because it’s not always a given, I liked that they actually discussed things like adults and didn’t let miscommunication or issues fester.
Graphic: Ableism
sophiesometimesreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
This book was a fun, easy, lighthearted read, which is exactly what I needed after a few darker books. It’s really a book that you should take a surface level to really enjoy and not think too hard about the details of how things (eg the cupcake shop) work, otherwise you may lose your immersion (eg if Nicholas is constantly baking cupcakes to restock, how does it work during the football season when he’s not there?).
The main characters were generally well-written and rounded and their relationship was cute. It was a very fast-paced relationship in a real-world context but I felt that wasn’t an issue in the context of the story (coming from someone who does not like instalove). The banter between the couple was also good and I loved the dyslexia representation! I think the side characters could’ve been fleshed out a little bit more, though.
I was really enjoying the storyline, even if it was a little ridiculous, up until the end. I didn’t like the fact there was a third-act break up, it didn’t seem necessary and the conflict and growth could have happened without it. The fact there was miscommunication just sprinkled in there as well made me like it less. Literally 10 pages or so before this happened, I had written a note saying that there were so many opportunities for miscommunication and/or a break up to be put in here and I’m loving the fact it hasn’t happened… then we got a break up with miscommunication… at 90% of the way through the book. This also meant the pacing of the ending was not great, it felt super rushed. One moment they’re broken up and next paragraph they’re basically back together. Also, did I miss something or did they just not explain how/why August went viral?
Overall, I enjoyed the middle part of this book, I thought it was fun, but it was let down a bit by the ending.
Graphic: Addiction
Moderate: Ableism
mandathebiblio's review
4.5
But overall, even with that, I really enjoyed this book. It was a nice fun romance that also included just enough baking. We were left knowing who the next book will follow and I definitely want to pick that one up as well.
I listened to this on audio on 2x speed and I would say that was fine. 1.75 would have been as well, honestly. The narrator did a really good job in my opinion and the only reason I wouldn't give the audio 5 stars is because I wish there had been a separate narrator for each POV. I felt that would have just made this experience a full 5 star for me if that were the case.
Graphic: Ableism, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
readingthroughinfinity's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Having said that, I did enjoy the baking, the initial 'enemies' vibes, and Jada's grandmother, who was a great character. I also liked the focus on Jada's dyslexia and the way her parents' ableism was challenged. There's a particular scene when Jada explains (live on television) that her dyslexia doesn't mean she can't read things, just that she may need a little more time and patience from people, which I thought was fantastic and so well worded. I also thought the use of social media and the online hate Jada receives felt (sadly) very realistic to real life.
But there were other things that felt like they'd been added to the story without much thought and they ended up needing more time spent on them. Donovan's football career, for example, is introduced early on but then never really developed. I also wanted to see Jada challenge her own financial privileges more, instead of just accepting that her grandmother's wealth could bail her out of most situations.
On the whole, this was an enjoyable read, but sadly not a new favourite.
Moderate: Ableism and Bullying
Minor: Emotional abuse, Sexual content, and Abandonment
vaniavela's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Fake It Til You Bake It is a cute, lighthearted read. Even when the romance moves too fast for my taste, I enjoyed it.
The author's writing is really good. I could picture the desserts perfectly, and I was craving cupcakes non-stop while reading this book.
I love the fake dating trope. If I put aside how insta-love their romance was, I loved it. There is so much chemistry between them, even when they've known each other for a couple of days. They complement each other's personalities, full of flirting and banter. That being said, when they started saying "I love you" to each other after a week I cringed.
I found this charming, and the addition of deep themes like gambling addiction, social media harassment, and family relationships make this book better.
tw: Sexual content, Bullying, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Ableism, Emotional abuse, Fatphobia.
Graphic: Bullying, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Ableism, Addiction, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Fatphobia
churrosmom's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Such a fun, sweet, tension filled fake dating Black romance between Donovan, a pro football player who owns a struggling cupcake shop, and Jada, a rich young woman who social media made into a reality TV show villain. In a last minute bid to get access to her trust fund, Jada goes to work for Donovan at his cupcake shop. And in a moment of panic in response to paparazzi, Jada ropes Donovan into a fake relationship. There is great banter and chemistry, and unlike some other reviewers, I don't feel like it was insta-love. Insta-attraction, definitely, and the pace does move quickly, but I think that is pretty realistic for someone you have a strong attraction to and basically are spending 24/7 with working together.
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, and Emotional abuse